Deputy Program Manager - Transportation

Trinnex Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 96,000 - 168,000; Full time

Job summary

CDM Smith Inc. in the Chicago area is seeking a Deputy Program Manager with a strong transportation and infrastructure background to support our growing Midwestern operations.

The ideal candidate will coordinate large multidisciplinary teams across highways, bridges, rail, and transit, ensuring on-time delivery within budget and regulatory guidelines. The role requires a Bachelor's degree and about 7 years of related experience, with willingness to travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 7 years of related experience.
• Domestic and/or international travel may be required.

Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary transportation programs from planning through closeout.
• Manage schedules, budgets, resources, risk, and quality across projects.
• Coordinate with state and local agencies, clients, and stakeholders to align program goals.

Skills

Governance principles

Communication skills

Complex materials comprehension

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Company Overview

Check out this video and find out why our team loves to work here!

Join Us! CDM Smith – where amazing career journeys unfold.

Imagine a place committed to offering an unmatched employee experience. Where you work on projects that are meaningful to you. Where you play an active part in shaping your career journey. Where your co-workers are invested in you and your success. Where you are encouraged and supported to do your very best and given the tools and resources to do so. Where it’s a priority that the company takes good care of you and your family.

Our employees are the heart of our company. As an employer of choice, our goal is to provide a challenging, progressive and inclusive work environment which fosters personal leadership, career growth and development for every employee. We value passionate individuals who challenge the norm, deliver world-class solutions and bring diverse perspectives. Join our team, and together we will make a difference and change the world.

Job Description

We are seeking a highly qualified Deputy Program Manager with a strong transportation and infrastructure background to support our growing Midwestern operations. The ideal candidate will have experience managing complex transportation projects and multidisciplinary efforts, with the ability to utilize their management experience to coordinate teams, manage project delivery, and work effectively with state and local agencies. A background in civil or structural engineering is preferred. A Registered Professional Engineer (PE) license in Illinois, or eligibility for licensure through reciprocity, is preferred but not required.

This position is based in the greater Chicago, Illinois area, and candidates must be willing to relocate to the region if they are not currently local

The Deputy Program Manager provides leadership and oversight for complex transportation and infrastructure programs from planning through design, construction, and project closeout. This position is responsible for managing and coordinating multidisciplinary efforts, ensuring that project teams, technical disciplines, and stakeholders are aligned with overall program goals.

The successful candidate will utilize their management experience to lead large-scale transportation efforts involving highways, bridges, rail, transit, and other public infrastructure. Responsibilities include managing project schedules, budgets, resource allocation, risk management, quality assurance, and overall project delivery while ensuring projects are completed safely, on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements.

The Deputy Program Manager serves as a key point of contact for clients, project teams, municipalities, state transportation agencies, regulatory agencies, contractors, and other stakeholders. The role will facilitate communication across disciplines, resolve technical and programmatic issues, monitor project progress, and ensure effective coordination throughout the program.

The role includes providing management and technical leadership across transportation projects, supporting construction management activities, and identifying opportunities to improve program processes and project delivery. The Deputy Program Manager will prepare and review technical reports, presentations, proposals, contracts, and other project documentation while ensuring adherence to firm standards, industry best practices, and applicable regulations.

This position will also support business development activities, including identifying new opportunities, developing technical proposals, responding to Requests for Proposals (RFPs), and participating in client presentations and interviews. The Deputy Program Manager may meet with current and prospective clients to understand their needs and develop long-term strategic relationships.

The successful candidate will provide leadership, mentoring, and guidance to project staff while fostering collaboration across multidisciplinary teams. The position requires strong communication, organization, and decision-making skills, as well as the ability to manage competing priorities and effectively lead transportation program efforts.

Participation in Communities of Practice (CoPs), professional organizations, industry conferences, and technical committees is encouraged to support technical excellence, innovation, and continued growth within the transportation practice. Performs other duties as required.

Skills & Abilities

• Strong knowledge of corporate governance practices, organization design principles, accounting principles, finance, supply chain management, and organization management.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to understand highly complex technical, professional and business materials.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• 7 years of related experience.
• Domestic and/or international travel may be required. The frequency of travel is contingent on specific duties, responsibilities, and the essential functions of the position, which may vary depending on workload and project demands. Equivalent additional directly related experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.

Amount of Travel Required

10% or less

EEO Statement

We attract the best people in the industry, supporting their efforts to learn and grow. We strive to create a challenging and progressive work environment. We provide career opportunities that span a variety of disciplines and geographic locations, with projects that our employees plan, design, build and operate as diverse as the needs of our clients. CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, pregnancy related conditions, childbirth and related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression), national origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Background Check and Drug Testing Information

CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries (hereafter collectively referred to as “CDM Smith”) reserves the right to require background checks including criminal, employment, education, licensure, etc. as well as credit and motor vehicle when applicable for certain positions. In addition, CDM Smith may conduct drug testing for designated positions. Background checks are conducted after an offer of employment has been made in the United States. The timing of when background checks will be conducted on candidates for positions outside the United States will vary based on country statutory law but in no case, will the background check precede an interview. CDM Smith will conduct interviews of qualified individuals prior to requesting a criminal background check, and no job application submitted prior to such interview shall inquire into an applicant’s criminal history. If this position is subject to a background check for any convictions related to its responsibilities and requirements, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history. Criminal history will not automatically disqualify a candidate. In addition, during employment individuals may be required by CDM Smith or a CDM Smith client to successfully complete additional background checks, including motor vehicle record as well as drug testing.

Massachusetts Applicants

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Additional Pay Range Information

CDM Smith is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. This pay range is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels for the geographic location assigned to the position. In addition to geographic location, a candidate’s salary is determined by several other factors including, but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, relevant work experience, skills, required certifications, and education/training.

Additional Compensation

All bonuses at CDM Smith are discretionary and may or may not apply to this position.

Visa Sponsorship Available

No-We will not support sponsorship in the United States, i.e. H-1B or TN Visas for this position

Pay Range Max

USD $167,731.00

Pay Range Min

USD $95,846.00